How to apply

ESA offers a unique opportunity to work with a highly dedicated team of scientists, engineers, managers and administrative staff, committed to ensuring that Europe continues to remain at the forefront of the space industry.

If you are interested in becoming an ESA staff member, you can find all current vacancies under Vacancies. Each vacancy notice gives the job description, required qualifications, closing date and reference number. Please do not send unsolicited applications.

Applications should be sent in via ESA's online application form which is given at the end of each announcement. A cover letter and CV should accompany the application, in one document (Word or PDF format) prior to the closing date. An automatic acknowledgement will be sent stating that you will only be contacted if invited for an interview.

Should you wish to apply for more than one vacancy, please fill in an online application form for each one.

Applications are accepted from nationals of ESA Member States and European Cooperating States, together with Canada which has a cooperation agreement with ESA (see links on the right for details).

If you are not a national of the ESA Member States but would like to work in close connection to ESA, you can search for the names and locations of ESA's business partners in the database for Small and Medium sized enterprises (see link) and check their job portals.

All the applications received are evaluated. Candidates selected for an interview are generally advised within two to four weeks of the closing date. ESA covers economy class travel expenses for all candidates invited to attend an interview.

What to expect at an interview

ESA interviews are quite formal. In general all interviews for a vacancy take place on one day in the establishment where the job is located. The interview panel usually consist of four or five people and in some cases candidates may be required to take a test specific to the requirements of the post.

The internal approval process takes approximately six to eight weeks and once a vacancy has been filled all those invited for interview will be informed of the outcome.

The selected candidate is offered a contract and will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire and undergo a series of medical tests to be carried out by the family doctor. This is, in part, because ESA has its own private social security scheme. The letter of appointment will not be valid until ESA's medical officer has provided the necessary approval.

Staff are recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account the concept of geographical return. This ensures an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the various Member States, based upon the countries respective financial contribution to the Agency.